New luxury senior living home to open in Costa Mesa

Sept. 11, 2013

Updated 8:09 a.m.

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Vivante is a new, $62 million, 185-unit luxury retirement community set to open on October 15 in Costa Mesa. KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER

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A bedroom is on display at Vivante retirement community in Newport Beach on Saturday. Vivante is a new, $62 million, 185-unit luxury retirement community set to open on October 15. . KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER

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A field of wildflowers on the grounds of Vivante retirement community in Newport Beach offers residents a place to stoll and relax. Vivante is a brand new, $62 million, 185-unit luxury retirement community set to open on October 15. . KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER

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A saltwater pool is provided for residents at Vivante retirement community in Newport Beach. Vivante is a brand new, $62 million, 185-unit luxury retirement community set to open on October 15. KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER

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The main lobby at Vivante retirement community in Newport Beach features a large saltwater aquarium and a piano. Vivante is a brand new, $62 million, 185-unit luxury retirement community set to open on October 15. KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER

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An in-room kitchen is one of the amenities available to residents at Vivante retirement community in Newport Beach on Saturday. Vivante is a brand new, $62 million, 185-unit luxury retirement community set to open on October 15. . KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER

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The main entrance at Vivante retirement community in Newport Beach features a fountain and shaded entryway. Vivante is a brand new, $62 million, 185-unit luxury retirement community set to open on October 15. KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER

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A putting green is available for use by residents of Vivante retirement community in Newport Beach. Vivante is a brand new, $62 million, 185-unit luxury retirement community set to open on October 15. KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER

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Cory Alder, president of Nexus Development Corporation, gives a tour on Saturday of the sushi bar and kitchen at Melange, one of several restaurants at Vivante retirement community in Newport Beach. Vivante is a brand new, $62 million, 185-unit luxury retirement community set to open on October 15. KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER

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A bedroom is on display at Vivante retirement community in Newport Beach on Saturday. Vivante is a new, $62 million, 185-unit luxury retirement community set to open on October 15. . KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER

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Thyme grows in a community garden at Vivante retirement community in Newport Beach on Saturday. Vivante is a brand new, $62 million, 185-unit luxury retirement community set to open on October 15. KENT TREPTOW, FOR THE REGISTER

Dot Thousand and Beverly Elias’s eyes widened as they stepped inside the lobby of Vivante, the new luxury retirement community in Costa Mesa.

Walking in the lobby was like entering a high-end hotel. The lobby boasts an open contemporary designed layout with high ceilings, a black grand piano, a 1,000-gallon saltwater aquarium, and attentive staff catering to the needs of residents and visitors.

Thousand and Elias were among about 400 people who recently took a peek inside the community, ahead of its grand opening Oct.15.

With amenities that rival five-star hotels, seniors who can afford it will have an opportunity to spend their golden years at Vivante surrounded in opulence and comfort. The new $62 million, 185-unit retirement community highlights the latest trend of real estate developers building developments for the growing population of seniors looking to retire in a deluxe setting.

“No more linoleum floors and fluorescent lighting,” said Chris McGraw, senior research analyst at the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing & Care Industry (NIC). “Most nursing homes and assisted living developments are now having a residential home-like feel, and the high end ones are more resort-like.”

Experts believe the demand in senior housing is expected to balloon in the coming decade. According to the National Institutes of Health, an estimated 72 million people will be 65 years or older by 2030.

“Most of the developments are targeting the mid-80s or the parents of the baby boomers but in the next 10 years, you’ll see more developers targeting the baby boomers,” said McGraw.

In Orange County, there are two senior communities including Vivante that are currently under construction that will add 385-more-units to the current 10,700 units in the area, according to the NIC.

The main difference between traditional retirement communities and Vivante is that the latter aims for the growing housing needs of the prosperous baby boomers and seniors, and affluent local residents looking for a place to care for their retired parents, said Cory Alder, president of the Nexus Companies, the firm that developed Vivante.

The 100,000-square-foot retirement community is centrally located in the Newport-Costa Mesa area known for its affluent residents and high priced living.

“We wanted to build something of high quality,” Alder said. “We know this community. There are a lot of successful and wealthy people in the area, who want to continue the luxurious lifestyle that they’ve built for themselves.”

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